49ers salary cap impact of Brian Robinson Jr. trade

The San Francisco 49ers made headlines Friday morning, acquiring running back Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. The move strengthens a running back room that has been plagued by injuries, providing insurance behind star Christian McCaffrey.

Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to earn $3.406 million in 2025. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Commanders are picking up $1.25 million of that salary.

This leaves the 49ers responsible for $2.156 million of Robinson's 2025 salary, while Washington absorbs a $1.53 million dead cap hit due to the trade, per salary cap site Spotrac.

San Francisco can comfortably absorb Robinson's salary. The team enters the 2025 season with nea rly $47 million in cap space, ranking third-highest in the NFL.

Of course, much of that money is earmarked for the future following quarterback Brock Purdy's recent five-year, $265 million contract extension. Still, the Robinson trade seemingly fits well within the team's budget while adding insurance behind McCaffrey, who missed 13 games last season.

The acquisition of Robinson likely cements the top three spots of the 49ers' running back depth chart with McCaffrey, Robinson, and second-year player Isaac Guerendo.

Last year, San Francisco carried four running backs on the initial 53-man roster. Jeff Wilson Jr. and Ke'Shawn Vaughn are the remaining healthy running backs on the team. Rookie Jordan James has been sidelined with a broken finger.